A recent Gallup poll shows that only 54% of Americans drink alcohol. This is a record low. Gallup has tracked drinking habits since 1939, and for the first time, a majority—53%—think that even moderate drinking is bad for health.
Dr. Katherine Keyes, an epidemiologist at Columbia University, notes, “This is a message that those of us in public health have been advocating for a long time… it’s heartening to see this message resonating with the American public.”
Even among drinkers, habits are changing. Just 24% reported having a drink in the past day, and 40% said it has been over a week since they last drank, which is the highest number since 2000. The decline in drinking cuts across all ages. Younger generations like Gen Z are notably drinking less, but those aged 35-54 have reduced their intake by 10% since 2023. Older adults, 55 and up, have seen a 5% decrease.
The shift in attitudes might be linked to rising concerns about health risks associated with drinking. For decades, some moderate drinking was viewed as beneficial, but studies now suggest otherwise.
This shift is echoed by recent guidelines from health authorities. The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology now recommend abstaining from alcohol instead of setting limits like two drinks a day for men and one for women. Dr. Vivek Murthy, former US Surgeon General, has highlighted alcohol’s links to cancer, calling for updated health warnings on alcoholic products.
Federal officials are also reassessing the guidelines on alcohol consumption. The current recommendations, unchanged since 1990, may be adjusted in the upcoming Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Preliminary reviews suggest that higher alcohol intake is linked to increased cancer risk, though specific intake limits are still under discussion.
The new guidelines are expected to be released by the end of the year, with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promising simpler and clearer recommendations. Dr. Keyes emphasizes that the existing scientific evidence supports lowering the current alcohol intake guidelines, although it remains to be seen if the official recommendations will reflect this.
